British composer Edward Elgar was born on 2 June 1857, near Worcester in England. His father was a music dealer, and Edward was able to teach himself the history of music, which complemented his music lessons in the piano and violin.
He became a noted local violinist, playing in the Worcester and Birmingham festivals. Playing in a wind quarter he began arranging the music of Mozart, Beethoven and Handel; he gained a strong musical reputation within the local area, but it was not enough to make a comfortable living.
I am a huge fan of his Violin Concerto and Cello Concerto; he also composed the well-known “Enigma Variations”.
Here is Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto:
